Health News 04/2016

Children with epilepsy can develop learning and behavioral disorders even if seizures are well-controlled

Children with epilepsy can have learning and behavioral disorders even when their seizures are under-control. The disorders can lead to social and educational problems when they are young, finds a new study. Study's lead researcher Anne Berg from the ...(Apr 1, 2016, Maine News Online)

Theranos on the Ropes as Scathing Regulatory Report Is Made Public

Walgreens is “assessing” the situation, say sources close to the company. Another punishing article in the Wall Street Journal Thursday evening, revealing the depths of the problems that led federal regulators to cite a Theranos lab for multiple ...(Apr 1, 2016, Fortune)

MONROVIA A woman has died of Ebola in Liberia, months after the West African nation was declared free of the virus and weeks after neighbouring Guinea also recorded a new flare-up, health officials said on Friday. The woman was brought to a clinic in ...(Apr 1, 2016, Reuters)

Amateur Football Hits Linked To Later Difficulties

BOSTON (AP) – The more hits to the head an amateur football player takes, the greater the risk that he will be depressed, have difficulty making decisions or develop other forms of cognitive impairment as an adult, a preliminary study suggests. The ...(Apr 1, 2016, CBS Local)

Focusing on helmet design has been one of the main approaches scientists have taken to help reduce concussion rates. But Canadian researchers argue in a new study that another external factor— weather— may be as important of a consideration for ...(Apr 1, 2016, Fox News)

Hospitals within MedStar's network are still recovering from a cyberattack that paralyzed their email and patient record databases. The $5 billion health care provider, however, refused to call it a ransomware attack, and maintains that its systems ...(Apr 1, 2016, Tech Times)

Europe gives green light to first gene therapy for children

LONDON The world's first life-saving gene therapy for children, developed by Italian scientists and GlaxoSmithKline, has been recommended for approval in Europe, boosting the pioneering technology to fix faulty genes. The European Medicines Agency ...(Apr 1, 2016, Reuters)

This Mom Is Changing The Conversation About Autism In Communities Of Color

“I just want to make sure that children of color got screened for autism and get into therapy.” 04/01/2016 11:41 am ET. Kimberley Richards Trends Writer, The Huffington Post. Camille Proctor began noticing changes in her son, Ari, around his second ...(Apr 1, 2016, Huffington Post)

Where Colorado's MMJ Patient Population Ranks in the Top Ten States

It's no secret that public support for marijuana legalization is on the rise, but there's common ground where even prohibitionists can sometimes meet supporters of recreational pot: the medical benefits of the plant. So far, 23 states have passed ...(Apr 1, 2016, Westword)

​Government finds Theranos testing plagued with problems

Testing done by Theranos, which earned an eye-popping $9 billion valuation with its promise of blood-testing through a finger prick, was bedeviled by problems that are sure to raise more questions about its results and processes, according to details ...(Apr 1, 2016, CBS News)

EU recommends conditional approval of J&J's blood cancer drug

European regulators on Friday recommended approving with conditions Johnson & Johnson's blood cancer drug, saying they would need to evaluate additional data from two ongoing studies. The much awaited drug, called Darzalex or daratumumab, which ...(Apr 1, 2016, Reuters)

A baby's BMI may predict early obesity

Pediatricians usually start monitoring kids for obesity risk at a 2-year-old's well-child visit, but a new study shows severe obesity is predictable as early as six months old. The authors recommend children start being screened for the condition as ...(Apr 1, 2016, CBS News)

Under pressure to digitize everything, hospitals are hackers' biggest new target

The cyberattack on MedStar Health — one of the biggest health-care systems in the Washington region — is a foreboding sign that an industry racing to digitize patient records and services faces a new kind of security threat that it is ill-prepared to ...(Apr 1, 2016, Washington Post)

Mosquito-Borne Viruses, Zika and Pregnancy

Recently, I got a call from a young woman who is planning her wedding. She and her fiancée have booked a honeymoon in South America, but with outbreaks of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, she's rethinking her plans. “Should we go?” she asked me. “We're ...(Apr 1, 2016, Huffington Post)

FDA proposes limit on inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it was taking steps to cut inorganic arsenic levels in infant rice cereal, a primary source of arsenic exposure in infants. Exposure to inorganic arsenic in infants and pregnant women can result in ...(Apr 1, 2016, Reuters)

What I Would Tell My 12-Year-Old Self Today About Managing Diabetes

Finding out that you have diabetes is a very difficult concept to process, no matter the age. But being that I was 12 years old at the time, I feel that it inhibited my conscious effort to accept being diabetic. Looking back, I'm surprised that I'm ...(Apr 1, 2016, Huffington Post)

Promising lab-grown skin sprouts hair and grows glands

Scientists in Japan have successfully transplanted mice with lab-grown skin that has more of the organ's working parts in place than ever before. Starting with stem cells made from a mouse's gums, they managed to craft skin with multiple layers - as ...(Apr 1, 2016, BBC News)

Scientists Grow and Transplant Functioning Skin Onto Mice

FRIDAY, April 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- In an advance that could serve as a step toward better transplants of skin and even hair in people, Japanese researchers report that they've grown complex, functioning mouse skin. The bioengineered version of ...(Apr 1, 2016, U.S. News & World Report)

Health|FDA Proposes a Limit on Arsenic in Rice Cereal for Babies

A rice field near Alicia, Ark. The Food and Drug Administration proposed limits on arsenic in infant rice cereal on Friday. Credit Danny Johnston/Associated Press. The Food and Drug Administration proposed on Friday a limit for inorganic arsenic in ...(Apr 2, 2016, New York Times)

In Miami, Facing Risk of Zika With Resolve but Limited Resources

Delfina Tirado, an inspector with Miami-Dade County's mosquito control division. Florida may be at risk for an outbreak of the Zika virus. Credit Max Reed for The New York Times. MIAMI — One recent sunny morning, Chalmers Vasquez, Miami-Dade County's ...(Apr 2, 2016, New York Times)

On the outside, she was a portrait of a stable, healthy young woman. Lexie grew up in Fair Oaks in an intact, upper middle-class family. She rode horses, played soccer and was a high school track star. Then she broke her back in a riding accident at ...(Apr 2, 2016, Sacramento Bee)

Hospitals feel pain as hackers' latest target

Hackers recently crippled computer systems at hospital chain MedStar Health Inc., forcing records systems offline for thousands of patients and doctors. The hack is one of several high-profile breaches that have riddled the health care sector, which ...(Apr 2, 2016, Houston Chronicle)

Company recalls frozen broccoli cuts sold in 11 states

(CNN) A company is voluntarily recalling frozen broccoli cuts sold in 11 states over fears of Listeria contamination. Listeria infection causes serious and at times fatal infections in children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. It ...(Apr 2, 2016, CNN)

Obese people outnumber underweight for first time in history

(NEW YORK) — Obesity has been a growing problem in the U.S. for decades and increasingly its effect is being felt globally. A new study published by the Lancet Medical Journal finds that for the first time in human history, there are more obese people ...(Apr 2, 2016, WTOP)

Amateur Football Hits May Cause Later Life Difficulties

Repeated, subconcussive hits to the head can cause later life difficulties including depression and cognitive impairments among ballers. A study suggests that the total number of head hits endured by amateur football players poses significant future ...(Apr 2, 2016, Tech Times)

Obese people now number 641 million worldwide, up from only 105 million in 1975. Experts blame easier access to cheap and highly-processed food for the global obesity epidemic. (Photo : Sean Gallup | Getty Images). Results of a new survey released on ...(Apr 2, 2016, Tech Times)

Zika Virus Spring Break, Rio 2016 Summer Olympics Concern

Pregnant women may want to avoid travel to Brazil and elsewhere in the Americas, Caribbean, South Pacific with Zika outbreaks. Get the list. Royal Oak, MI. By Beth Dalbey (Patch Staff) - April 2, 2016 8:33 am ET. ShareTweetGoogle ...(Apr 2, 2016, Patch.com)

Theranos receives backlash for not being able to meet its own standards in its blood testing. A recent federal report released on Thursday had found deficiencies in Theranos blood testing devices. The company has faced tough times as it has been ...(Apr 2, 2016, Maine News Online)

Global research sees statin benefits in lower risk patients

CHICAGO — The first major research of its kind shows that cholesterol-lowering statins can prevent heart attacks and strokes in a globally diverse group of older people who don't have heart disease. The results bolster recommendations in recent ...(Apr 2, 2016, Washington Post)

More People Should Consider Cholesterol Pills, Study Says

Tablets of Crestor, the statin used in the Hope-3 study. A new, 12,000-person study backs wider use of powerful cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins in relatively healthy people, but does not provide similar evidence for blood pressure pills. The ...(Apr 2, 2016, Forbes)

Study refutes lasting treatment for Lyme disease

Lyme disease has proven to be one of the most difficult diseases for people to overcome it, as the illness appears to be extended in some patients, even after taking the right treatment. A new study has revealed that long-term intake of antibiotics ...(Apr 2, 2016, Pulse Headlines)

Sacramento's allergy season is here

Sacramento, California- Early blooming of flowers due to a recent rainfall has increased allergy season's rates in Sacramento. According to experts, climate change is affecting pollen season and increasing pollen count. Early bloom of flowers and other ...(Apr 2, 2016, Pulse Headlines)

MedStar hack shows risks that come with electronic health records

Hackers crippled computer systems at hospital chain MedStar Health Inc. on Monday, forcing records systems offline for thousands of patients and doctors. The hack is one of several high-profile breaches that have riddled the health care sector. Hackers ...(Apr 2, 2016, Baltimore Sun)

Obesity Now More Common Than Underweight Worldwide

Global obesity numbers have shot up from 105 million people in 1975 to 641 million in 2014, according to the most comprehensive body mass index (BMI) trend analysis to date. Researchers estimate that the age-corrected proportion of men who were obese ...(Apr 2, 2016, Medscape)

Give blood with the Red Cross during National Volunteer Month

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood during National Volunteer Month this April and make a difference in the lives of patients in need. More than 3 million generous people donated blood through the Red Cross last year. The ...(Apr 2, 2016, Tulsa World)

CDC reports no change in autism prevalence

One in 68 children has autism, according to the latest government report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the current report (showing data from 2012) shows no change in prevalence from the 2014 report (showing data from 2010 to ...(Apr 2, 2016, wtvr.com)

Apple Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month With Two New Videos

Earlier this morning, Apple posted a pair of videos onto its YouTube channel to join in on celebrating Autism Acceptance Month. The videos - titled "Dillan's Voice" and "Dillan's Path" - show how the company's technology, namely the iPad, has helped a ...(Apr 2, 2016, Mac Rumors)

Apple profiles iPad apps for World Autism Acceptance Day

At the release of its new 9.7 inch iPad Pro, Apple presented a video of Dillan, a young man who is both autistic and non-verbal, who was able to begin expressively communicating via apps on his iPad. Today, the App Store is featuring more of Dillan's ...(Apr 2, 2016, Apple Insider)

Red Cross volunteers install free smoke detectors across Freeport

House fires can be tragic for those who experience them. That's why the American Red Cross is doing its part to help prevent these incidents. More than 30 volunteers are going door-to-door in Freeport this weekend. They will be installing free smoke ...(Apr 2, 2016, WREX-TV)

Fire chief struts his stuff for cancer at Fort Myers Relay for Life

Was it hot outside, or was it just Fire Chief Ben Bengston? Turns out it was Ben Bengston — scratch that. Make it “Amber Valentine.” That's the funny name Bengston used when he slipped into a borrowed woman's dress Saturday, slapped on fake bosoms ...(Apr 2, 2016, The News-Press)

More of the global population now obese than underweight

Over one in eight adults are now obese -- a ratio that has more than doubled since 1975 and will swell to one in five by 2025, a major survey reported April 1, 2016. (Photo: ROBYN BECK,RONALDO SCHEMIDT,PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images). CONNECT ...(Apr 3, 2016, WTSP.com)

Bergen County woman among 3 more confirmed travel-related Zika cases in NJ

State health officials confirmed three more travel-related cases of Zika in New Jersey for a total of five, officials said Saturday. The three cases, all confirmed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month, include a Bergen ...(Apr 3, 2016, NorthJersey.com)

Lab-grown skin could help put the hairs back on your head

A stem cell technique is offering new hope to burns victims and the bald. Photo / iStock. Fully functioning skin, complete with sweat glands and hair follicles, has been grown in a lab for the first time, giving new hope for the treatment of hair loss ...(Apr 3, 2016, New Zealand Herald)

Outdoors: To fight chronic wasting disease among deer, we must act now

The green shoots heralding spring in Eaton County might hold an ugly secret. When a deer infected by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) nibbles a plant, the prion infection in its saliva absorbs into the plant's roots and into the soil, and it emerges again ...(Apr 3, 2016, Detroit Free Press)

What does it mean to be an organ donor?

April is National Donate Life Month, a time to recognize and bring awareness to the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. In the United States, more than 121,000 adults and children are on waiting lists for donor organs. More than 500 of them ...(Apr 3, 2016, Las Vegas Sun)

FDA Wants To Cut Inorganic Arsenic Levels In Infant Rice Cereal

The FDA announced a limit on the levels of inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals. High exposure to inorganic arsenic can affect performance on tests that gauge a child's learning abilities. (Photo : Brad Noble | Flickr). The U.S. Food and Drug ...(Apr 3, 2016, Tech Times)

Long Term Antibiotic Treatment Proved Ineffective against Lyme Disease: Study

A new research has found that prolonged antibiotic therapy is proving infective against Lyme disease and the symptoms of the chronic disease continue or won't ease despite the long term use of antibiotics. Lyme disease is an infectious disease which is ...(Apr 3, 2016, I4U News)